Local Camps
Introducing Toronto Chapter's first Social Cooking Camp. Please click here to view more details.
Camp Funding
SSAH funds (see the Financials page) can be used to offset camp fees. Parks and Recreation offers a "welcome policy" that subsidizes the cost of their programs: contact your Adapted and Integrated Services coordinator for details.
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund provides financial support for children to attend summer camp programs. Applications must be made by December 31st by the camps, not the families. Toronto Star: 416-869-4847, www.thestar.com.
The Reach for the Rainbow program helps children with special needs attend regular day camps, with the help of an aide (parents pay for the aide). See their web site. www.reachfortherainbow.ca
Planning for Camp
When exploring a camp for your child or youth with ASD, some things to consider:
* integration vs. special needs only camps - what would best suit your child? if your child needs a more supportive environment for the moment, perhaps you can "try out" integration camps over a few summers
* day camps vs residential camps - again, it may take some time building up to residential camp - some camps offer a way to try residential settings for just a weekend or a few days
* planning for the future - look for camp experiences that offer a potential long-term experience for your child - always be looking forward
* give your child a break - our kids need challenges, and we need to plan for the future, but every child deserves at least some of the summer where the challenges are a little less and they can just relax and be themselves
Preparing Camp for Your Child
When you have a camp booked, prepare a "getting to know my kid" package for the camp and any workers involved. Profile your child, identifying their likes and dislikes, their communication style, and other items. Identify potentially difficult situations and how to handle them. Keep it simple, reassuring, and direct. If appropriate, ask for reporting on your child's day at camp (a simple visual list of the possible activities, with the ones your child took part in circled, might do). If you have a chance to meet with a camp worker in advance, focus on the most important issues rather than overwhelming them with details. Encourage open communication - make yourself available.
Preparing Your Child for Camp
* visit the camp and/or their web site
* prepare a personalized book for your child with photos from camp
* read books or watch movies or TV shows that involve summer camps similar to the one(s) your child will attend
* provide a visual schedule/daily planner for your child to use - an inexpensive 5 x 7" photo holder is perfect for this - insert index cards showing (in words and pictures) possible activities - the format allows for changing the order if necessary
Finding Camp Helpers
If your child needs help to attend camp, speak to a recreation therapist, occupation therapist or social worker at your local children's treatment centre. Visit www.respiteservices.com to find support workers through the CHAP program. Students or volunteers may be available through community colleges or agencies such as Extend-A-Family.
Special Camps
An excellent way to locate a camp is through the Ontario Camping Association's web site, which lets you search for a camp based on a wide variety of criteria. Check out their web site: http://www.ontcamp.on.ca/ Respiteservices.com has a listing of summer camps on their web site. http://www.respiteservices.com/Toronto/index_e.aspx
Publications such as Exceptional Familiy magazine (www.exceptionafamily.ca), Abilities magazine (www.abilities.ca) and Active Living magazine (www.activelivingmagazine.com) often provide articles and sections on summer camp.
The Sara Elizabeth Centre (Blue Veil Ministry) in Etobicoke offers a summer camp for ages 18+ with a physical or developmental disability. Camp located at Kipling and Westway, Operates 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. This is an arts-oriented camp. For more information, visit their web site (http://www.blueveil.org/), email blueveil@rogers.com, or call 416-747 -9796.
Muki Baum runs a children's day program. http://www.mukibaum.com/
Camp Listing
Some Ontario camps that offer services specifically for individuals with ASD are:
* Summer Camp at Allegro Academy of Music and Arts.
The summer camp will serve children with autism from July 5th to August 20th. This is a daily 3.5 hr program in which parents will have the option to sign up their children for as many weeks as they would like their children to attend.
The program will continue focusing on individualized targets as we understand that each child is unique. The children’s targets will be reviewed and revised as needed.
Our curriculum will target skills across different domains, such understanding of language (receptive), language/sign production (expressive), vocalization (sound production that is a prerequisite for language to emerge), self help, social interaction (through play, sitting in groups, turn taking, peer interaction, just to mention a few), fine and gross motor and academics.
This is an innovative program in which children will also explore music and participate in musical activities that will allow them to vocal imitate, follow teacher’s instruction in a group setting, and focus their attention to directed activities. Children will be exposed to various musical instruments and taught how to properly manipulate them. During the last two weeks of the program the children will be prepared to transition into the upcoming school year.
The camp will be held at Allegro Academy located at The Shops on Steeles Ave East and 404, 2900 Steeles Ave East, Suite 217. Check our website http://www.milestonesautism.ca/summer.html for fees, preregistration and more information about our program.
* Camp Kennebec; 1-877-335-2114 (residence program, for youth) http://www.campkennebec.com/
* Kinark Outdoor Centre; 705-286-3555 http://www.koc.on.ca/
* Camp Kirk; 416-782-3310 http://www.campkirk.com/
* Camp Kodiak; 905-569-7595
* Shadow Lake Centre - residential - www.shadowlakecentre.ca, 905-640-6432
* New Strides Day Camp; 416-39-8533
* Bellwood Lodge & Camp (residential camp for ages 7 to seniors with mental challenges) 519-843-1211
* Camp Muskoka - http://www.campmuskoka.com/
* Camp Robin Hood - http://www.camprh.com/ - 416-736-4443
* 2009 Summer Programs through Geneva Centre for Autism
Galloway Summer Camp
Geneva Centre had partnered with East Metro Youth Services to offer "Galloway Summer Camp". The camp is in the east end (Galloway Road - Lawrence and Morningside area) and is for 12 - 24 year olds with ASD or developmental delay. It focuses on social skills, life skills, community access, and developing peer relationships. The Geneva Centre will provide one of their staff to offer the appropriate level of support for an individual with ASD to attend this camp. The cost for the camp is $120/week, and there is no additional cost for the Geneva Centre support worker.
Bridges summer camp
There are still openeings for Bridges summer camp (ages 7 - 13), particularly in August. These are integration opportunities for kids to attend regular Parks and Rec programs at Brown (St. Clair and Avenue Road) or Hillcrest (Bathurst and Davenport) community centres. Geneva Centre provides a worker (and a volunteer, so there's essentially 1:1 support) and pays for the Parks and Rec program as well, so there's no cost to families.
For both of these programs contact Andrea Seater, Respite Servisor, at < FONT color=black size=2 face="Default Sans Serif">aseater@autism.net or 416-322-7877 x240.
* Camp Prospect in Barrie offers sleep-over camp experiences for children with special needs, including weekend offerings during the year. Call 705-735-0129 or email campprospect@rogers.com.
* Pioneer Camp - integrated residential summer camp program with worker support - www.pioneercamp.com, 1-800-361-2267.
* Miles Nadal JCC - summer day camp and after school programs - 416-924-6211 x128, www.miles.nadajcc.ca
* Camp Winston - residential camp for ind ividuals with ASD and other disabilities - www.campwinston.com 905-707-3427
* A Toronto-area group called DramaWay offers a summer drama camp in a variety of locations in Toronto. Visit them at their web site for more. http://www.dramaway.com/DramaWay.html
* Glenbrook Day Camp in Stouffville offers spots for special needs children in an integrated setting. The cost is reasonable and they have experience with kids with ASD. Visit www.glenbrookdaycamp.coom or call 905-640-2127.
* Markham's Camp Green Acres has an inclusion program to includ e chi ldren with special needs (including ASD and Asperger's) in their regular camp. The camp can offer 1:1 counselors. The program is headed by Randie Newman. For more, contact Randie at 416 -702-2695 or the camp itself at 905-887-1400.
* Reena offers a program for 13 - 21 year olds, with outings, games, arts and crafts - contact Gloria at 905-889-2690 x2116. Reena operates out of the Toby & Henry Battle Development Centre in Thornhill (Yonge, north of Steeles). They also offer summer programs in the south, in the Bathurst and Bloor area.
* YMCA camps are open to individuals with ASD who come with a worker from Reach for the Rainbow. 416-928-9622 www.ymcatoronto.org
* Ko-Ach Adventures is an "experiental outdoor initiative" focused on persons with special needs. I t aims to "promote healthy living and well-being while installing a sense of accomplis hment, pride and community among participants". Participants learn team building, canoing, swimming, map-reading, tent-construction and cooperation ski lls. The pro gram offers a 2:1 ratio. Contact Ko-Ach Adventures, 372 Sunnyside Avenue, Toronto, 416-763-6339 or ko.achadventures@gmail.com.
Today's Parent Toronto - Article on Special Needs Camps
Includes a listing of various PDD/Autism Specific Camps.
http://www.todaysparenttoronto.ca/articles/2006/02feb06b.html
If you receive services from Toronto Community Living, you may be eligible for an aide to accompany your child to regular summer camp for two weeks. Check with your case worker.
Parks and Recreation in all four districts have an Adaptive and Integrated Services program that can, in many cases, provide a support worker for your child to attend Parks and Recreation day camps. Check your Parks and Recreation brochure for details.